Viking Age Textile Production Site Uncovered in Denmark

Archaeologists in Denmark have uncovered a significant Viking Age textile production site, highlighting the sophistication of Viking society over a millennium ago. Experts at the Moesgaard Museum revealed that the site, spanning 100,000 square meters, includes an area for flax processing and over 80 pit houses, which served as workshops and homes during Viking times.

Located in Søften, just 10 kilometers north of Aarhus on the Jutland peninsula, the site dates back to the late Iron Age and early Viking Age, between A.D. 600 and 950. Archaeologist Liv Stidsing Reher-Langberg led the 10-month excavation, noting that the site’s focus on textile production distinguishes it from other settlements of the period.

“We have spindle whorls and weight looms, indicating textile activities in the pit houses,” Reher-Langberg said. The discovery also includes silver coins, glass beads, and pottery, pointing to a thriving production environment. The presence of separate production areas and a single residential home suggests that a powerful individual likely managed resource and production activities.

Over the past 30 years, several silver coins surfaced through metal detecting in the area, drawing archaeological interest during a trial excavation 1½ years ago. This preliminary exploration occurred prior to construction of a new road and industrial area.

“We could see in the trenches that the site extended with more houses, pit houses, and textile features,” Reher-Langberg explained.

Kasper Andersen, a Moesgaard Museum historian, stated this discovery adds another piece to understanding the economic, cultural, and political landscape of the time. During the Viking era, Aarhus (then Aros) was a hub of royalty and international trade, with recent findings in nearby Lisbjerg further indicating noble residences.

Reher-Langberg hopes future carbon dating and pollen analysis will answer questions about the type of textile production active at the site.

The discovery at Søften sheds light on the well-organized nature of Viking society. According to Andersen, such a production site points to a complex market network extending beyond the local area.